Dancing in Monkseaton: EDS Feature

The origins of the club lie in the rapper sword team that was founded by Professor Bill Cassie at King’s College, Newcastle (now the university). One of the student dancers was Alan Brown who went on to form the Monkseaton club near Whitley Bay, north of Newcastle. In addition to their highly-skilful rapper dancing, the team also danced Cotswold morris, Yorkshire long sword and Northumbrian country dances such as ‘The Morpeth Rant’. Their varied repertoire allowed them to accept invitations to dance at festivals in Europe and the US, and they hosted international dance groups at their own Tyne and Wear Folkmoot festival.

The team continues, with long-standing musician and current squire, Bryan Jackson, who has written the article, and Alan Brown’s son, Peter, in the team.

Summer 2015 edition available now

National Youth Folk Ensemble

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